4 OCTOBER 2019

ICSA president Edmond Phelan has said the low grain prices being offered to farmers shows such a contempt to farmers that it cannot go unchallenged. “The rock bottom prices being offered for grain, particularly by Glanbia, are in complete contrast to the top dollar prices they have no problem charging for inputs. How they expect their local suppliers to stay going is anyone’s guess,” he said.

“Adding insult to injury is that grain buyers continue to import foreign grain at a lower base price, purely to depress local prices further. Native quality assured grain should be fully utilised before they even contemplate bringing in lower quality foreign supplies. It’s a real slap in the face when farmers see grain coming in, particularly at harvest time, when they know it’s just a cynical ploy to slash the price of grain.”

“The era where farmers can be expected to subsidise the price of food is coming to an end, especially if we are to see cuts to basic payments. I would urge all grain buyers to seriously reconsider their base prices at this time.”

ENDS